Game Storylines» No. 6/5 Arizona will face the first road test on what has been regarded as one of the nation’s toughest non-conference schedules on Thursday when it visits San Diego State.

» UA has won a Pac-12-best 24 true road games since the start of the 2009-10 season; in addition to Thursday’s visit to San Diego State, the Wildcats are also slated for a mid-December showdown with Michigan in Ann Arbor.

» Arizona defeated SDSU, 68-67, in the final of last year’s Diamond Head Classic, as Nick Johnson came up with a game-saving block in the final seconds; UA clawed its way to victory that day despite shooting just 37.3 percent from the floor.

» Now in his fifth season in Tucson, Miller continues to honor a process that has seen him lead UA to a Pac-12-best 82-28 (.745) record since the start of the 2010-11 campaign.

» UA is striving to continue an upward trend that saw the Wildcats progress from 108th nationally in adjusted defense in 2009-10 to 32nd nationally a year ago; the Wildcats have limited opponents to 31.6 percent shooting from the field and 32.7 percent from long range over their first two games.

» The Wildcats have been balanced on the offensive end to start the season, with five players averaging double figures heading into Thursday night’s contest; those five players are all averaging between 5.5-9.5 field goal attempts per game and are collectively shooting 60.8 percent (45-of-74) from the field.

» Bob Cousy Award candidate T.J. McConnell has orchestrated an offensive attack that is operating at 58.0 percent from the floor and 42.9 percent from the arc, while averaging 30.0 free throw attempts in its first two games; UA has had an assist on nearly 60 percent (34-of-58) of its field goals in its first two games.

» Brandon Ashley has been in double figures in both games and is shooting 78.6 percent (11-of-14) from the floor.

» UA has gotten great production from freshmen Aaron Gordon and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in the early going; Gordon has a pair of double-doubles and is averaging team highs of 13.5 points and 10.0 rebounds, while Hollis-Jefferson leads the Wildcats in free throw attempts (15) and steals (4).

» Well-rounded guard Nick Johnson heads into Thursday’s game one assist shy of 200 for his career and six steals shy of 100 in an Arizona uniform; his 94-career steals rank second among active Pac-12 players.

» Gabe York’s playmaking abilities have been on display in Arizona’s first two games, as he has connected on 6-of-11 (.545) attempts from deep and owns averages of 13.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game; the Southern California native has poured in 26 points over two games after scoring just 36 all of last season.